Strontium zirconate as silicon and aluminum scavenger in yttria stabilized zirconia

Reduction of a NiO thin film deposited by PLD on a single crystal YSZ (111) substrate

“…Silicon segregation increased with the annealing temperature. In addition to this temperature dependence, silicon segregation behavior also strongly depended on the atmosphere and pressure [30]. Silicon is also found to form silicate phases together with other impurities.…”

“…The orientational relationship of NiO ð111Þ//Ni ð111Þ//YSZ ð111Þ completely disappeared after reduction in H 2 . Origin of silica YSZ typically contains impurities such as Si, Na, and Al [25], and both impurity and yttrium segregation in YSZ have been reported by some researchers [26][27][28][29]. Surface segregation of the impurities in YSZ occurred after YSZ was exposed to a temperature around 1000°C.…”

“…Such impurity segregation or the formation of an impurity phase can increase the polarization resistance of an anode-electrolyte SOFC model system [34,35]. Andersen et al [30] recently found a way to remove segregated silicon dioxide impurities from YSZ surface at 1100°C and above under ultra high vacuum. They also proved that strontium zirconate was very effective in scavenging silica and alumina segregated from a bulk YSZ single crystal [25].…”

“…Andersen et al [30] recently found a way to remove segregated silicon dioxide impurities from YSZ surface at 1100°C and above under ultra high vacuum. They also proved that strontium zirconate was very effective in scavenging silica and alumina segregated from a bulk YSZ single crystal [25]. Both of these results point to methods to help obtain YSZ crystals free of silicon, which is beneficial to obtaining clean interfaces and the best final physical performance of the anode in a SOFC.…”

Improving the Si Impurity Tolerance of Pr0.1Ce0.9O2−δ SOFC Electrodes with Reactive Surface Additives

“…19 Si is ubiquitous in ceramics processing and testing; for example, it can come from furnace refractories during high temperature sintering, 20 or even from the silicone grease used in the apparatus to establish input gas mixtures for fuel cell test assemblies. 4 While past researchers have spent significant effort and cost to reduce siliceous impurities through clean processing, 21,22 in this work, the authors take a more commercially viable approach to dealing with Si by developing Si impurity-tolerant electrodes.…”